As of this morning, July 25, 2014, the Department of Defense has had no combat troop losses to report for one full month. Total reported casualties for American troops since Operation Enduring Freedom in Afghanistan began in 2001, remains at 2,194.

Sgt. Spitzer was assigned to 1st Battalion, 7th Marine Regiment, 1st Marine Division, I Marine Expeditionary Force. There was no information regarding other U.S. troops who might have been injured in that incident.

Lance Cpl. Adam F. Wolff, 25, a fellow combat engineer in the same unit, died alongside his Marine brothers. He was from Cedar Rapids, Iowa.

A military working dog was also killed when the IED exploded. There was no name listed for the four-pawed hero. Of note, Marines assign their working dogs one rank higher than their handler. The handler for the MWD was not listed.

Helmand Province has been a deadly region for both Soldiers and Marines since the war in Afghanistan began in 2001. According to the current administration, all combat troops will be out of Afghanistan by the end of this year.

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Inspired in 2004 by a soldier deployed to Kuwait, Susy made a conscious decision to make soldier support her priority. Branch of service, gender, marital status or rank have no bearing on her commitment to support the "best friends she'll never meet."